Indexed from official State Bar of California records · Identity verification · Updated regularly

The RegistryPractice Area · Statewide

Find Bankruptcy Lawyers in California

Counsel for a fresh start: consumer and small-business debt relief. This is the statewide record for bankruptcy in California: every attorney on the State Bar of California's official roll whose published practice reaches this area, shown in neutral directory order.

Californians search this field under many names · bankruptcy attorney, bankruptcy lawyer, chapter 7 lawyer, chapter 7 attorney, chapter 13 attorney · and the registry answers all of them from the same source. Below: what to weigh as you read the record, the questions Californians ask with the code sections that answer them, and bankruptcy coverage county by county, from Del Norte to San Diego.

The craft

Reading the roster

Bankruptcy is federal, so what matters locally is the attorney's standing practice in the bankruptcy court division where your case will be filed and with its panel trustees. Ask which chapter fits your income and assets and why, what the flat fee covers, how California's two exemption schemes apply to your property, and what the timeline to discharge looks like. Be wary of non-attorney "debt relief" services; bankruptcy petition preparers are sharply restricted by 11 U.S.C. § 110.

Bankruptcy · statewide roster

4,622 attorneys on the official State Bar of California roll list bankruptcy among their practice areas, with an address of record in 49 of California's 58 counties.

4,363 of them hold an active licence; the remainder are recorded as inactive and are not currently eligible to practise.

The largest county rosters are Los Angeles (1,568), Orange (694), San Diego (536), San Francisco (271) and Sacramento (202).

154 hold a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist designation, a certification issued by the State Bar's Board of Legal Specialization, and not a rating or a ranking.

For 285, the registry records a language other than English, almost always from a firm website published in that language; that describes the website, not an attorney's own ability.

Jason A. Rastegar

Bankruptcy · Torrance · Los Angeles County

Bar #355141 · Admitted 2024

Speaks Spanish, Persian, French, Japanese, Tagalog, Vietnamese · Taking new clients (attorney stated)

Identity verified · View the record →

Call(310) 961-9600

Chi Wang

Bankruptcy · Ningbo · Foreign County

Bar #344417 · Admitted 2021

Identity verified · View the record →

Nicholas J. Brooks

Bankruptcy · San Diego · San Diego County

Bar #349771 · Admitted 2023

Speaks Spanish, Portuguese · Taking new clients (attorney stated)

Identity verified · View the record →

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In the last 30 days attorneys have read 11 filed matters on the registry.

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Legal information, not legal advice

Bankruptcy matters in California

The matters this field covers, as Californians search for them. Each attorney's own profile states which of these they take.

  • Chapter 7 liquidation
  • Chapter 13 repayment plans
  • Chapter 11 business reorganization
  • stopping foreclosure and repossession
  • the automatic stay
  • discharging credit card and medical debt
  • student loan hardship discharge
  • wage garnishment
  • creditor harassment
  • bankruptcy exemptions

Bankruptcy questions, cited

What is the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

Chapter 7 liquidates non-exempt assets and typically discharges qualifying unsecured debt within months (11 U.S.C. § 727); eligibility runs through the means test of 11 U.S.C. § 707(b). Chapter 13 keeps assets and repays creditors through a three-to-five-year court-approved plan (11 U.S.C. § 1322), which is often used to cure mortgage arrears and stop foreclosure.

Will bankruptcy stop wage garnishment and creditor calls?

Yes, immediately in most cases. Filing triggers the automatic stay of 11 U.S.C. § 362, which halts garnishments, collection calls, lawsuits, and most foreclosure sales while the case is pending. Exceptions exist for support obligations and repeat filings; willful stay violations can make a creditor liable for damages (11 U.S.C. § 362(k)).

Can I keep my house and car if I file bankruptcy in California?

Often, yes, through exemptions. California's homestead exemption protects between roughly $300,000 and $600,000 of home equity, indexed to county median home prices (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 704.730). Filers choose between the § 704 exemption scheme and the § 703.140 alternative set, which includes a flexible wildcard. Secured debts like a car loan must still be paid or the collateral surrendered.

Does bankruptcy wipe out all debts?

No. Domestic support obligations, most student loans (absent undue hardship under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(8)), recent taxes, criminal restitution, and debts from fraud or willful injury generally survive discharge (11 U.S.C. § 523). What remains dischargeable (credit cards, medical debt, personal loans, most judgments) is usually the bulk of consumer debt.

How often can I file for bankruptcy?

A Chapter 7 discharge is available eight years after a prior Chapter 7 discharge (11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(8)); a Chapter 13 discharge generally requires four years after a Chapter 7 or two years after a prior Chapter 13 (11 U.S.C. § 1328(f)). Filing itself is possible sooner, but repeat filings can shorten or eliminate the automatic stay (11 U.S.C. § 362(c)(3)–(4)).

Legal information, not legal advice.

From the answer files

What does the automatic stay stop when I file bankruptcy?11 U.S.C. § 362How much does it cost to file bankruptcy in California?11 U.S.C. § 329How long does Chapter 7 bankruptcy take in California?11 U.S.C. § 727What should I avoid doing before filing bankruptcy?11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(C)How does the Chapter 7 means test work in California?11 U.S.C. § 707(b)How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit report?15 U.S.C. § 1681cCan bankruptcy discharge student loans in California?11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(8)Can bankruptcy wipe out tax debt in California?11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(1)How do I choose a bankruptcy attorney in California?11 U.S.C. § 528

Bankruptcy in all 58 counties

Bankruptcy in Los Angeles CountySeat: Los AngelesBankruptcy in San Diego CountySeat: San DiegoBankruptcy in San Francisco CountySeat: San FranciscoBankruptcy in Alameda CountySeat: OaklandBankruptcy in Santa Clara CountySeat: San JoseBankruptcy in Sonoma CountySeat: Santa RosaBankruptcy in Humboldt CountySeat: EurekaBankruptcy in Shasta CountySeat: ReddingBankruptcy in Sacramento CountySeat: SacramentoBankruptcy in Yolo CountySeat: WoodlandBankruptcy in Monterey CountySeat: SalinasBankruptcy in Santa Barbara CountySeat: Santa BarbaraBankruptcy in Fresno CountySeat: FresnoBankruptcy in Kern CountySeat: BakersfieldBankruptcy in El Dorado CountySeat: PlacervilleBankruptcy in Riverside CountySeat: RiversideBankruptcy in San Bernardino CountySeat: San BernardinoBankruptcy in Orange CountySeat: Santa AnaBankruptcy in San Joaquin CountySeat: StocktonBankruptcy in Stanislaus CountySeat: ModestoBankruptcy in Ventura CountySeat: VenturaBankruptcy in Tulare CountySeat: VisaliaBankruptcy in San Luis Obispo CountySeat: San Luis ObispoBankruptcy in Alpine CountySeat: MarkleevilleBankruptcy in Amador CountySeat: JacksonBankruptcy in Butte CountySeat: OrovilleBankruptcy in Calaveras CountySeat: San AndreasBankruptcy in Colusa CountySeat: ColusaBankruptcy in Contra Costa CountySeat: MartinezBankruptcy in Del Norte CountySeat: Crescent CityBankruptcy in Glenn CountySeat: WillowsBankruptcy in Imperial CountySeat: El CentroBankruptcy in Inyo CountySeat: IndependenceBankruptcy in Kings CountySeat: HanfordBankruptcy in Lake CountySeat: LakeportBankruptcy in Lassen CountySeat: SusanvilleBankruptcy in Madera CountySeat: MaderaBankruptcy in Marin CountySeat: San RafaelBankruptcy in Mariposa CountySeat: MariposaBankruptcy in Mendocino CountySeat: UkiahBankruptcy in Merced CountySeat: MercedBankruptcy in Modoc CountySeat: AlturasBankruptcy in Mono CountySeat: BridgeportBankruptcy in Napa CountySeat: NapaBankruptcy in Nevada CountySeat: Nevada CityBankruptcy in Placer CountySeat: AuburnBankruptcy in Plumas CountySeat: QuincyBankruptcy in San Benito CountySeat: HollisterBankruptcy in San Mateo CountySeat: Redwood CityBankruptcy in Santa Cruz CountySeat: Santa CruzBankruptcy in Sierra CountySeat: DownievilleBankruptcy in Siskiyou CountySeat: YrekaBankruptcy in Solano CountySeat: FairfieldBankruptcy in Sutter CountySeat: Yuba CityBankruptcy in Tehama CountySeat: Red BluffBankruptcy in Trinity CountySeat: WeavervilleBankruptcy in Tuolumne CountySeat: SonoraBankruptcy in Yuba CountySeat: Marysville

Bankruptcy by city

Bankruptcy in Los AngelesLos Angeles County · Los AngelesBankruptcy in Long BeachLos Angeles County · Los AngelesBankruptcy in PasadenaLos Angeles County · Los AngelesBankruptcy in Santa MonicaLos Angeles County · Los AngelesBankruptcy in San DiegoSan Diego County · San DiegoBankruptcy in Chula VistaSan Diego County · San DiegoBankruptcy in San FranciscoSan Francisco County · Bay AreaBankruptcy in OaklandAlameda County · Bay AreaBankruptcy in San JoseSanta Clara County · Bay AreaBankruptcy in Santa RosaSonoma County · North CoastBankruptcy in EurekaHumboldt County · North CoastBankruptcy in ReddingShasta County · Shasta CascadeBankruptcy in SacramentoSacramento County · Sacramento ValleyBankruptcy in DavisYolo County · Sacramento ValleyBankruptcy in FolsomSacramento County · Sacramento ValleyBankruptcy in SalinasMonterey County · Central CoastBankruptcy in Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara County · Central CoastBankruptcy in FresnoFresno County · San Joaquin ValleyBankruptcy in BakersfieldKern County · San Joaquin ValleyBankruptcy in South Lake TahoeEl Dorado County · SierraBankruptcy in RiversideRiverside County · Inland EmpireBankruptcy in San BernardinoSan Bernardino County · Inland EmpireBankruptcy in IrvineOrange County · Orange CountyBankruptcy in AnaheimOrange County · Orange CountyBankruptcy in Santa AnaOrange County · Orange CountyBankruptcy in Palm SpringsRiverside County · DesertBankruptcy in StocktonSan Joaquin County · San Joaquin ValleyBankruptcy in ModestoStanislaus County · San Joaquin ValleyBankruptcy in OxnardVentura County · Central CoastBankruptcy in FremontAlameda County · Bay AreaBankruptcy in VisaliaTulare County · San Joaquin ValleyBankruptcy in San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo County · Central Coast

Adjacent shelves of the law

Consumer ProtectionCal. Civ. Code § 1790 et seq. (Song–Beverly)Tax26 U.S.C. § 6501Business LawCal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337

Full Bankruptcy rosters, by surname

Ahmed – Zhu · Alameda County136 attorneysAbbasi – Butler · Los Angeles County212 attorneysByrne – Frealy · Los Angeles County215 attorneysFreed – Johnson · Los Angeles County220 attorneysJones – Martin · Los Angeles County211 attorneysMassmann – Quiroga · Los Angeles County213 attorneysRaanan – Spero · Los Angeles County219 attorneysSpiegel – Zur · Los Angeles County213 attorneysAbdelhamid – Hemming · Orange County228 attorneysHeston – Pezold · Orange County221 attorneysPfeifer – Zinser · Orange County220 attorneysAbuzeid – Zundel · Riverside County141 attorneysAltun – Zilaff · Sacramento County191 attorneysAbbott – Kimball · San Diego County250 attorneysKing – Zweig · San Diego County251 attorneysAbbott – Yu · San Francisco County259 attorneysAnstandig – Zlotoff · Santa Clara County157 attorneys

If cost is the concern

Court self-help, legal-aid organizations and attorney-stated fee options, with source links. No account or case submission is needed to use them.

Free and low-cost help in California

Read the record. Then decide.

Describe your matter once, review the verified records, and place the call; the choice is always yours.

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279,000+ attorney records · 58 counties · Official State Bar records